The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-04

ports the league but the association includes
ton ia active and vigorous.
Mr.. Montgomery, Of Pennsylvania, reported .
satisfactory year for his association. He de-
tailed the controversy with the postmaster of
Philadelphia over the examination in Office. The
year had been an active one, especially Tor Phil-
adelnhia. He saw some rays of hope
Mr.. Dorman B. Eaton inquired if there was
proof that ont of 1874 appointments in the post
Office at Philadelphia 1872 were Democrats! Mr..
Montgomery replied that canvass made by the
association showed that this was true.
Mr.. Srorrow reported for Massachusetts. 1t
was obvious that nothing is to be gained there
from either party.
Mr. Grover. of Chicago, reported that his as
sociation was reduced to 200, but in an active
condition. The association convinced of the
necessity of some restriction in the power of
removal, and extension of powers of commits
sioners to examine witnesses; Also or greater
publicity in of removals. etc.
Mr.. Bonaparte, Of Baltimore, was called upon
to tell something about Higgins. He thought.
however, that Higgins might be left alone rfil
the report OF the committee on resolutions was
received, he would probably form large part
of the report He had heard it suggested that
President Cleveland desired the reform system
to have awful example and had selected ths
federal system OF Maryland as that example.
If 50, he thought the experiment had been
cessful. Senator Foulke. of Indiana reported
that his association was advancing the cause of
reform in that State. He averred that all of
Indiana is run by machine, and the reform
sociation is bound hand and foot and consigned
to the spoller.
The committee on resolutions reported as
follows
Frst-The National Civil-servics Reform League,
while acknowledging the many excellent appoint
quent instances of executive disregard of merely
partisan demands and conspicuous instances of the
has learned with profound regret that the change
In the civil service is forecast its
pee partisan reconstruction by the close OF the ad
ministraton. The league does not believe such a
change to have been required justified by the pub
lie desire expectation. Holding that the changes of
inferior officers should not be made for partisan
reasons. merely for the purpose of making
traon III this respect tending to confirm the system
of abuses which the league seeks to REFORM and
lstratlons Notwithstanding this action. the unpre
cedented prominence which the question has ac
that all former incumben IS dismissed at
once on the one hand. and on the other the com
maintain It's principles well the public dssatis
faction with the unfortunate results which have in
in reform and offer the strongest
of the rapid growth of public sentiment which will
heartily sustain resolute enforcement of reform
principles.
Second-On July ii. 1886, the President ad-
dressed circular to certain officers of the govern
ment warning them against obtrusive partisanship.
manipulation Of party meetings and nominating con-
cular designed to correct one of the gravest of
abuses In the cvilservice the interference OF office
alleged that at the recent primary elections in Balti
more this executive circular was defed by certain
federal OfhcerS. Reform
Association is respectfully requested on behalf OF
the league to investigate these charges and report
the facts and the evidence the executive commit
to the end that, should the facts alleged be
established the league, through its executive com
mttee, in concert with the Maryland association. may
earnestly and respectfully request the President to
promptly dismiss the offenders.
Third-The league respectfully renews its recon-
mendation that the application of the civil-service
rules should be extend to the District of Columbia
clerical force In the indian service and to other
offices where smaller force than fifty clerks
heads of and heads of divisions should be
cluded with the classified vice, because the
with change administration involves the greatest
detrment to the service, well other revils which
spring from unreasonable Office changes.
Fourth-The people of the United States
titled to know the for the appointment
such employment. and the Senate should consider
nominations in open session.
FifthPu bic officers intrusted wththe power of ap
pointment and removal should be required Dy law
executive order to place upon public record all
pointments. removals and designations, and the
sons for every removal made by them and appoint
ing officers, when in their discretion they do not
ect those rated highest the eligible list presented
to them should he required in each to file their
reasons for such action.
Sixth-The acts which limit the tenure of inferior
officers to four years should be repealed, baneful
of intrigue and corruption, foreign alike to
publican principles and TO sound business methods
No life of office should be created
but competency fidelity and good behavior. as in the
early days of the government the sole condition of
the continuance of employment in the public service
SeVentn-lne league earnestly recommends To It's
constituent associations that the associations those
States where civil service law has been adopted.
exert themselves to the utmost to promote the
age of laws establishing the merit system of appoint
ments Office in the penal reformatory. charitable.
and educational institutions and in the principal cities
in their respective States in which such associations
organized; that the associations in those States in
which civil-service laws have been enacted watch
the manner in which the laws enforced and
guard against any alterations; that the association
continue the practice of interrogatng candidates for
Office to their views respecting the mersvstem of
appointment and their willingness to aid in the en-
forcement of existing laws respecting the in
the enactment of laws which shall extend the opera
ton of that system and render it effective
The resolutions were severaly adopted with
ont change, with the exception of the first,
which on motion of Mr.. ID. 3. Eaton. was
amended to read that the league recognizes the
good faith with which the President has sought
to uphold the civil service examinations, and
in ssrting the word "unclassifed" before ser
vice, in the body OF the resolution, and the
resolution was passed as thus amended.